Topic: So, is this worth the time and money

[Capt. Mike]

Lurking through ebay, and I come across this...is it worth the time and effort, and the expense, to put a system together around this motherboard?  Description as such

"Asus P5GD2 Premium

Intel Pentium 4 Socket LGA775 Socket T Motherboard

 P5GD2 Premium
Intel LGA775 Pentium 4 CPU
Intel 915P chipset
Dual-Channel DDR2 533
PCI Express Architecture
Wireless LAN onboard
Dual Gigabit LAN
1394b/a

DDR2 600 Native Support
Although Intel's 925X, 915P and 915G chipsets claimed to only support DDR2 400/533, ASUS engineers successfully unleashed their true potential. This model offers native DDR2 600, eliminating the bottleneck when overclocking both the CPU and memory. With current processors supporting 800MHz FSB, ASUS motherboards, the only solutions with native DDR2 600, will provide superior performance for the most demanding applications.

FSB/MEM (freq.) ASUS Other brands
800/600 (Native) V

Hyper Path2 - Shorten Memory Latency
The innovative ASUS Hyper Path2 significantly shortens the latency time between the CPU and memory and improves memory performance without sacrificing stability.

Choice for Home Networking and Hard-Core Gamers

ASUS AI Proactive series -- The P5GD2 Premium is a total solution for the Intel 915P chipset. Create a wireless home network, build servers and workstations with triple RAID data security, and enjoy dual-Gbit Ethernet high data throughput with this all-new motherboard. It also supports LGA 775 CPU, dual-channel DDR 2, PCI Express x16 graphics, Serial ATA and IEEE 1394b.

Intel LGA775 Pentium 4 CPU
This motherboard supports the latest Pentium 4 CPU from Intel in LGA775 package. With 800MHz FSB, 1 MB L2 cache, Hyper-Threading Technology and core-speeds up to 3.6GHz and beyond, Intel's LGA775 Pentium 4 is one of the fastest desktop processors to date.

Intel 915P chipset
The Intel 915P chipset supports the latest PC technologies such as LGA775 Pentium 4 CPU, dual-channel DDR2 memory architecture, and PCI Express x16 graphics card interface. The ICH6R Southbridge further provides integrated 4-port SATA RAID controller, PCI Express x1 interfaces and 8 high-speed USB 2.0 ports.

Dual-Channel DDR2 533
DDR2 is the next generation memory technology to replace the current DDR. With initial speeds from 400 and 533MHz, DDR2 memory provides bandwidth up to 4.3GB/s. Doubled by the dual-channel architecture, the widest memory bus bandwidth 8.6GB/s is achieved on this motherboard.

PCI Express Architecture
PCI Express is the latest I/O interconnect technology that will replace the existing PCI. With a bus bandwidth 4 times higher than that of AGP 8X interface, PCI Express x16 bus performs much better than AGP 8X in applications such as 3D gaming. PCI Express x1 also outperforms PCI interface with its exceptional high bandwidth up to 500MB/s. The high speed PCI Express interface creates new usages on desktop PCs e.g., Gigabit LAN, 1394b, and high-speed RAID systems.

AI Proactive

Stack Cool?
Cooler Overclocking and Quieter Operation!
Heat causes instability and shortens system lifecycle, and motherboard power circuitry is a major thermal source. The patented Stack Cool? technology utilizes a mini PCB stacked against the main PCB to conduct heat away from power components, resulting in a 10° Celsius reduction. And voila! Cooler overclocking, quieter fan operation, greater stability and longer system life without you doing a thing.

WiFi-g? onboard (optional)
Wireless setup made affordable and easy!
WEP? SSID? Building a home WLAN used to be a hassle with confusing acronyms and cryptic menus. With WiFi-g? and its one-touch setup wizard, high-speed wireless network is just a few clicks away. WiFi-g? serves as the access point of your network or if you already have an access point, it is also a wireless adapter for PCs to access existing WLAN.
(WiFi-g? compliant to IEEE 802.11g 54 Mbps data transfer)

AI NOS?
Boost performance when you need it the most!
Applications such as 3D games and video editing demand a huge chunk of system resource.
Inject "nitrous oxide" into your CPU! The patented AI NOS? (Non-delay Overclocking System) technology intelligently detects system load and automatically boosts performance for the most demanding tasks. Unlike other dynamic overclocking techniques, AI NOS? reacts much faster to satisfy your unending need for speeds.

AI NET2
Diagnose LAN connection before entering OS!
Network problems are often caused by bad cable connection.
AI NET2 remotely detects cable connection the second you turn on the system, and any faulty connections are reported back up to 100 meters at 1 meter accuracy.

High Definition Audio
Enjoy high-end sound system on your PC! The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphone while playing a multi-channel network games. All of these are done on one computer. The Dolby Digital Live technology from Dolby Lab encodes the multi-channel audio source into AC-3 bit-stream and outputs it to S/PDIF port in real time.

Dual Gigabit LAN
The integrated dual Gigabit LAN design allows a PC to serve as a network gateway for managing traffic between two separate networks. This capability ensures rapid transfer of data from WAN to LAN without any added arbitration or latency. No more bottleneck to handle large amounts of data such as video, audio, and voice.

IEEE 1394b/a
1394b (FireWire 800) ? with its higher bandwidth up to 800 Mbps, longer distances and much higher-powered bus ? is more suitable for bandwidth-intensive applications like digital video (DV), professional audio, hard drives, which often consume hundreds or even thousands of megabytes of data per file. With backwards compatibility with 1394a, this motherboard provides 1 x 1394a and 2 x 1394b ports.

Serial ATA & IDE RAID
The onboard Silicon Image Sil3114R and ITE 8212F RAID controllers plus the Intel ICH6R southbridge provide the best solution to your RAID requirements on different storage standards. The Intel ICH6R supports RAID 0, 1 and Intel Matrix RAID Technology on 4 Serial ATA ports. The Silicon Image Sil3114R controller offers four additional SATA interfaces and allows RAID 0, 1, 10, JBOD, and a RAID software patch to support RAID 5. For IDE hard disk drives, the ITE 8212F controller provides RAID 0, 1 , 0+1 functionality for two ATA133 channels.

ASUS Q-Fan2
ASUS Q-Fan2 technology intelligently adjusts both CPU fan and chassis fan speeds according to system loading to ensure quiet, cool and efficient operation.

S/PDIF-out on Back I/O Port
This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio systems via an optical or coaxial S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface) jack. It allows to transfer digital audio without converting to analog format and keeps the best signal quality.

Max. 8 USB 2.0 ports supports
USB 2.0 is the latest connectivity standard for next generation components and peripherals. Backwards compatible with current USB 1.1 peripherals, USB 2.0 delivers transfer speeds up to 40 times faster at 480Mb/s, for easy connectivity and ultra-fast data transfers.

Multi-language BIOS
The multi-language BIOS allows you to select the language of your choice from the available options. The localized BIOS setup menu helps you configure your system easier and faster.

ASUS CrashFree BIOS2
The CrashFree BIOS2 feature now includes the BIOS auto-recovery function in a support CD. Users can reboot their system through the support CD when a bootable disk is not available, and go through the simple BIOS auto-recovery process.
ASUS motherboards now enable users to enjoy this protection feature without the need to pay for an optional ROM.

C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
When the system hangs due to overclocking failure, there is no need to open the case to clear CMOS data. Just simply restart the system, the BIOS would show the previous setting and then users can amend the CPU setting again.

WinDVD Suite (On Retail Version Only)
ASUS motherboards, intensifying leadership in the IT industry, now bundle the versatile InterVideo WinDVD Suite. This multifaceted software set includes the latest multimedia software(OEM version), bringing forth the multimedia features of ASUS motherboards to the best!"

$200+ for the MB
$200-300 for new video card
$400 for a new processor

Plus the ancilliary stuff...

Or wait 6 months, and let prices drop...

Decisions, decisions....just looking for opinions.and is the PCI express X 16 worth it?

Mike (falling behind on technology once more)

[Javora]

I think you should ask yourself if building a new system right now is what you want.  I don't remember what you are currently using or what you are using your system for.  So it's a little hard to make suggestion based off just the information of the motherboard you are looking at.  I will say this PCIe will not give you any benefit over current AGP cards.  Even the latest greatest video cards still are not overpowering the AGP port yet.  DDR2 is showing very little improvement over DDR at this point in time.  Also SATA is about to make another revision giving more speed wire connectors that are more reliable.  With so many changes with computer hardware that is occurring or about to occur.  I have trouble telling people to go out build a system based on the latest greatest that maybe obsolete in another 6 months.

As a point of reference I am using a 478-based Asus P4C800-E Deluxe motherboard.  I don?t expect to upgrade a new motherboard for another year or two.  Maybe another CPU and/or Ram but not another system.  If you have a system that is older like maybe a 423-based system or older than I would consider it.  But if you can I think I would wait at least six months and see how things shake out.  But this is all IMHO, your mileage may very.

[E_Look]

Or wait 6 months, and let prices drop...

Decisions, decisions....just looking for opinions...

That's my usual first impulse.  I think that today's hottest stuff still remains hot, only all the "hippest guys" don't see it that way, in six months.  But the six-month-old stuff remains good stuff!

... Mike (falling behind on technology once more)

Not.

[Capt. Mike]

well...

I'm using an Intel D845PESV 478 with a 2.4 GHz Pentium...

I guess my actual question is..have they improved it enough or not...there are speed increases I don't find useful (let's face it..how fast do you need to load an Excel sheet to balance your wife's check book)

I'm just trying to keep up, but I want to know the benefits...

Thanks guys...will keep you all posted...

Mike

[Javora]

well...

I'm using an Intel D845PESV 478 with a 2.4 GHz Pentium...

I guess my actual question is..have they improved it enough or not...there are speed increases I don't find useful (let's face it..how fast do you need to load an Excel sheet to balance your wife's check book)

I'm just trying to keep up, but I want to know the benefits...

Thanks guys...will keep you all posted...

Mike

If I were in your place I would stick with what you have.  It will run all the games that are currently out there.  If you were going to upgrade I would look at video cards and other peripheral items.  Maybe a new CPU but I think that would be pushing it a little.  Hope this helps.

[Redshift the Kook]

For the price you listed I guess you could buy a brand new motherboard rather than from e-bay. 

[Javora]

For the price you listed I guess you could buy a brand new motherboard rather than from e-bay. 

He's right, funny I never even looked at the price.

 

[The Postman]

So what is the thought process here? Is it worth it to upgrade or not?
I currently am running a Shuttle AV40 (1.5 P4, pc2100) and am thinking about building a ASUS P4P800 that will have room to grow.

[Javora]

So what is the thought process here? Is it worth it to upgrade or not?
I currently am running a Shuttle AV40 (1.5 P4, pc2100) and am thinking about building a ASUS P4P800 that will have room to grow.

Basically what I have been suggesting is that people that already have systems built on the Intel 865 or 875 motherboard that uses the 478 pin CPU should stay with what they have for a least 6 months to a year.  If you have one of these systems and feel that upgrades are needed then spend the money on items like video cards, hard drives, sound cards, Ram, or even a CPU until the industry shakes itself out.  People with even older systems like the old 423 pin CPU stuck with RD Ram may want to go ahead and upgrade now if they feel that their system just can't perform as needed.  These 423 systems generally use 4x AGP that can't handle newer video cards to their potential, uses RD Ram harder than heck to find and lacks SATA.  But here is the rub, the newest systems based on the Intel 775 CPU still lacks the next revision of SATA that will double the current 150mbs transfer rate.  DDR2 will also be getting a speed boost that will finely make them worth the money.  PCIe that has just really started opening itself up in the market will be getting a revision itself soon.

So if you can wait, the industry is in such a flux right now that it just isn't worth buying right now.  If you think you must buy now, go for the 775 CPU based system that has PCIe at least.  That will give you some headroom with what is coming out later.  Now if you want an AMD based system that is a whole different story.  Since I'm not an AMD person yet I'll let someone else who knows that side fill you in.  Hope this helps.

[Capt. Mike]

Thanks again

Mike